A Detailed Comparison of the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog.

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King Shepherd Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the King Shepherd and for the Shetland Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the King Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog.

King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog

King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The King Shepherd is a giant-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the King Shepherd to the Shetland Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor King Shepherd Shetland Sheepdog
Life Span 10 to 11 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 25 to 31 inches 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 150 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1560 $1590
Price Range $700 – $2500 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the King Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shetland Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the King Shepherd is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the King Shepherd. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog

    The King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than King Shepherds.

    Temperament of the King Shepherd Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 1 King Shepherds and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of King Shepherd versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1560. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $700 – $2500. However, the price of a King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 34 King Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the King Shepherd.

    King Shepherd Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1560 $1590
    Price Range $700 to $2500 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the King Shepherd and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many King Shepherd puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the King Shepherd puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do King Shepherds shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    King Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the King Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the King Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the King Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do King Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: King Shepherd vs. Shetland Sheepdog

    King Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the King Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are King Shepherds good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    King Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are King Shepherds and Shetland Sheepdogs?

    King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the King Shepherd Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the King Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the King Shepherd or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    King Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the King Shepherd that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the King Shepherd:

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the King Shepherd and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the King Shepherd and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Tibetan Terrier     King Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     King Shepherd versus American Eskimo Dog     King Shepherd versus Borzoi     King Shepherd versus Toy Poodle     King Shepherd versus Field Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     King Shepherd versus Pointer     King Shepherd versus Sloughi     King Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     King Shepherd versus Maltese     King Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     King Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog     King Shepherd versus Shichon     King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog     King Shepherd versus Sheepadoodle     King Shepherd versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     King Shepherd versus Italian Greyhound     King Shepherd versus Irish Terrier     King Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd     King Shepherd versus Border Collie     King Shepherd versus Golden Retriever     King Shepherd versus Valley Bulldog     King Shepherd versus Keeshond     King Shepherd versus Dogo Argentino     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Great Dane     Shetland Sheepdog versus Azawakh     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Norfolk Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labradoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Shetland Sheepdog versus Border Collie     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pyredoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Field Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Toy Poodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Black Russian Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Westiepoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus King Shepherd     Shetland Sheepdog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puggle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puggle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greyhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Giant Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: King Shepherd versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the King Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.